Fatty Acids Examples
Some of the most common examples of fatty acids are:
- Short-chain Fatty Acids
|
Name |
Number of Carbon Atoms |
Role/Importance |
|---|---|---|
|
Acetic acid |
2 |
Helps in cellular metabolism, and lipid synthesis. |
|
Propionic acid |
3 |
Helps in the synthesis of amino acids, and energy generation. |
|
Butyric acid |
4 |
Helps in maintaining gut health, and functioning. |
- Medium-chain Fatty Acids
|
Name |
Number of Carbon Atoms |
Role/Importance |
|---|---|---|
|
Caprylic acid |
8 |
Helps in digestion, and has antimicrobial properties. |
|
Capric acid |
10 |
Have therapeutic and antimicrobial properties. |
|
Lauric acid |
12 |
Helps in energy production, and has antimicrobial properties. |
- Long-chain Fatty Acids
|
Name |
Number of Carbon Atoms |
Role/Importance |
|---|---|---|
|
Palmitic acid |
16 |
It helps in lipid synthesis and is a major component of cell membrane. |
|
Stearic acid |
18 |
Helps in lipid metabolism, and provides structural support to the cell membrane. |
|
Oleic acid |
18 |
Helps in maintaining the cardiac tissues, and maintains cell membrane integrity. |
Overview on Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are organic compounds that fall under the category of lipids, which are essential biomacromolecules in the living system. The fatty acid types are saturated, unsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids play an important role in various physiological processes of the living organism, such as metabolism, formation, and maintenance of cell structure. In this article, we will study the structure, properties, function, and type of fatty acids in detail.
Table of Content
- Fatty Acids – Definition and Meaning
- Fatty Acids Formula
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Essential Fatty Acid Foods
- Properties of Fatty Acids
- Structure of Fatty Acids
- Types of Fatty Acids
- Length of Fatty Acids
- Circulation of Fatty Acids
- Fatty Acids Examples
- Functions of Fatty Acids